Presenting Virtual Classes

Tips for Running Successful Zoom Classes.

Group parents in breakout rooms consisting of 4 to 6 parents each.
Ask your parents to turn on their cameras.
To save time, facilitators may read the activity instructions aloud.
Although it is more time consuming, continue to ask parents to read portions of the text aloud. Reading aloud increases parent participation, retention, and learning.
The Teacher’s Guide asks facilitators to conduct both small and large group activities. Do not run small group activities in the large group format. Parents learn less in large groups.
Debrief activities by charting parent responses, either directly on the PPT slide or
whiteboard.
Keep it interesting: Show parents how to use the white board, poles, chat room, and reaction symbols/emojis, etc.
Establish a “Question Bin.” Ensure parents that their questions will be answered in future Units.
Set up ongoing virtual support groups.
In other words, even though you are presenting the class online, stick with the process.
Parent Project classes are based on cooperative learning norms and activity-based instruction. Do not change the delivery platform.

Position your camera at eye level or above.
The camera should be close enough to frame at least your head and shoulders.
Never position the camera below eye level. No one wants to see up your nose.
If you have the facility, standing to present the class also works, but stay on your “mark.” If your camera is stationary, don’t move outside the camera frame.
Try to look directly into the camera when you speak.
Present from a well-lit room. Ring lights work well.
Dress appropriately. You are teaching a class. We know you are on camera, but pajama bottoms or sweatpants do little to help you prepare.

We recommend using a microphone with a headset. Logitech makes a good, inexpensive headset. ($24.99 on Amazon.) Headsets make it easier for your parents to hear you and use noise-canceling technology to help eliminate background noise.

Don’t be afraid to share a little about yourself. Be personable!
The more your class laughs, the better. Smile!
Don’t read anything from the book without personal comment. “You will love this!” “How true that is.” “The first time I heard this, I laughed.” “I can’t stress that enough.”
Be animated. Use voice inflection to help maintain class attention. In short, we have all had to endure boring presenters. Don’t be one.

Practice, practice, practice, using the software, hardware, and presenting the class.
Download the PPT’s to your computer. Do not play the PPT’s from the portal.
Direct wire your computer to your router. Do not rely on a WiFi signal.
After starting movies, move your cursor off the slide. Don’t touch the mouse or trackpad until the movie ends. Clicking or moving the mouse may pause the video.
Always do a Zoom orientation for parents.
For your first class, ask your parents to sign in early.
From time to time, you will experience technical difficulties. Expect it. Facilitators who have no idea how to fix it or where to start, usually panic.
Two facilitators are always best. If you are teaching alone, that’s okay. But having a techy there to get your parents into the meeting and solving technical issues for you is a great idea.
If you must go it alone, practice, practice, practice.
We recommend presenting just one unit per week, over two nights, one hour per night. For most, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings are best.
Giving parents homework like reading the unit beforehand or “watch this first” is a challenge.
Do not depend on your parents completing the task.
Recording your sessions is a great idea. Parents who miss a class can always watch the meeting to catch up.